Fluorspar (Fluorite, CaF₂): A Complete Industrial Guide

Fluorspar, also named fluorite, is the natural mineral form of calcium fluoride (CaF₂, CAS:7789-75-5) — the world’s primary commercial source of fluorine element.

• Chemical formula: CaF₂; theoretical fluorine content 51.1% by weight
• Crystal: cubic structure, Mohs hardness 4; famous for UV fluorescence (the origin of its name)
• Natural colors: colorless, purple, green, yellow, blue, pink
• Melting point: 1418°C, stable under high-temperature industrial environments

It is classified as a critical strategic mineral by the EU, USA, and major industrial economies, irreplaceable across metallurgy, chemical manufacturing, new energy, optics and ceramics supply chains.

Global trade prices and application scenarios are fully determined by CaF₂ purity and impurity limits (SiO₂, CaCO₃, S, P, As).

Core Specs:

• CaF₂: 97%–98.5% min
• SiO₂: ≤1.0%; CaCO₃ ≤0.3%; S ≤0.02%; P/As trace low limits
• Form: 200 mesh fine powder standard for chemical reactors

Key Applications:

1. Feedstock for hydrofluoric acid (HF) and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF) production — the foundation of all fluorochemicals
2. Fluoropolymer manufacturing: PTFE (Teflon), PVDF, FEP for corrosion-resistant equipment, wire insulation, medical parts
3. EV lithium battery electrolyte: raw material for LiPF₆ (lithium hexafluorophosphate) — fast-growing new energy demand driver
4. Aluminum trifluoride (AlF₃) for primary aluminum smelting; UF₆ for nuclear fuel enrichment
5. Refrigerants (low-GWP HFO/HFC), pharmaceutical fluorinated intermediates, semiconductor etching chemicals

Common subgrades: 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 93% CaF₂

Core Function: High-temperature flux agent

• Lowers melting point of slag, boosts slag fluidity in steel, iron and ferroalloy furnaces
• Absorbs and removes harmful impurities (sulfur, phosphorus) from molten metal
• Reduces furnace energy consumption and protects refractory lining

Forms for metallurgy:

• Lump: 10–50mm / 20–80mm (direct furnace feeding)
• Fines / briquettes: pressed powder for foundry and small smelters

Balanced purity with strict iron/titanium limits to avoid discoloration

• Used in opaque glass, optical blank glass, household enamel cookware, ceramic glazes
• Improves product hardness, chemical resistance, surface smoothness and melting efficiency in kilns

Buyers select particle size strictly based on production process:

1. Fluorspar Lump (10–80mm)
   Best for metallurgical steelmaking, stable furnace feeding, minimal dust loss
2. Fluorspar Fines / Concentrate Powder (200 mesh)
   Standard for acid-grade HF plants, ceramic glaze mixing, full chemical reaction contact area
3. Fluorspar Briquette
   Compressed fine powder, solves dust pollution for small foundries and flexible smelting lines

Global annual fluorspar output ~9.5 million tons (2024); China is the top processing & export hub, with high-quality Mongolian mine ore as premium raw material.

Our supply strengths:

• Stable Mongolian fluorspar ore reserves with consistent high CaF₂ base grade
• Full flotation processing line to tailor purity (70%–98.5% CaF₂) per buyer’s lab standard
• Strict impurity control: low silica, low sulfur, low carbonate for acid-grade high-end orders
• Export port: Tianjin Port, full container bulk / ton-bag logistics, complete MSDS, COA, customs clearance documents
• Flexible packaging: 25kg bags, 50kg bags, 1MT jumbo ton bags

Traditional demand (steel, refrigerants, aluminum) remains steady; new energy creates long-term tight supply:

1. Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries: LiPF₆ electrolyte relies 100% on acid-grade fluorspar
2. Solar panel fluorinated coatings, heat pump low-GWP refrigerants
3. Nuclear power expansion requires high-purity acidspar for uranium processing
4. Green aluminum smelting upgrades lift demand for AlF₃ feedstock

Every shipment supports third-party lab inspection (SGS/CIQ):

• Full chemical COA: CaF₂, SiO₂, CaCO₃, S, P, Fe₂O₃, moisture, particle size distribution
• MSDS safety data sheet for sea freight compliance
• Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin for customs duty clearance

A: General carbon steel uses 80%–85% CaF₂ lump; premium alloy steel requires 90%–93% CaF₂ met-grade.

A: Technically usable but uneconomical — acid-grade has far higher production cost, reserved for chemical fluorine extraction only.

A: Max moisture ≤0.5%–1.0% to prevent caking during long ocean transit; we deliver dry processed ore.

A: Bulk container MOQ 20MT; sample bags (10–50kg) available for lab trial testing before mass orders.